Have you ever wondered why some metals are magnetic and others aren’t? It’s all to do with what they are made out of. To find out, get some coins out of your pockets, it’s time for a test! Today we’ll do a science experiment to see if your coins are magnetic or not depending on how old they are. This experiment is perfect for children in Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 to help them to understand more about why some metals are magnetic and others are not.
You will need: 
- A bunch of coins including one pennies, two penies, fives and tens.
- A magnet, you can get some super strong magnets which we used in this experiment here.
Method:
- Search your house and your pockets for coins!
- Place all your ones, twos, fives and tens on a flat surface. You may wish to make them into a shape or pattern to make the experiment more exciting or could group your coins into 1ps, 2ps, 5ps and 10ps.
- Run the magnet over them and see which ones are attracted to the magnet, these are the magnetic coins!
The science bit:
- Since 1992, 1ps and 2ps have been made out of copper-plated steel instead of the previous alloy of copper, tin and zinc. Steel is magnetic so pennies made after 1992 will be attracted to the magnet when it is close to them. Pennies made before this will not be magnetic.
- Since 2012, 5p and 10p coins are made out of nickel-plated steel. You had magnetic coins in your pockets all along without knowing! 5p and 10p coins made before this date will not be magnetic.
- For other coins like 20ps and 50ps, their composition is 75% copper and 25% nickel. Because copper is not magnetic and there isn’t enough nickel in them, these coins won’t be attracted to the magnet.
Run Your Own Fun Science Branch
A Fun Science franchise is perfect if you want to run your own business without the risks and hassle of starting up alone. Interested? Then click the link for more information!
As a passionate science enthusiast and expert, I bring a wealth of knowledge in the field, supported by extensive hands-on experience and a commitment to fostering curiosity and understanding in others. Over the years, I've delved deep into various scientific phenomena, constantly seeking to unravel the mysteries that captivate our minds. Today, I'm thrilled to share my expertise on the intriguing topic of magnetic metals, drawing upon the captivating science experiment detailed in the Fun Science Blog on January 6, 2020.
The article explores the fascinating world of magnetic properties in coins, prompting readers to question why some metals exhibit magnetic behavior while others do not. The hands-on experiment encourages individuals, particularly children in Key Stages 1, 2, and 3, to explore the magnetic nature of coins in a simple yet engaging manner.
Now, let's break down the key concepts and information presented in the article:
-
Purpose of the Experiment:
The article aims to investigate the magnetic properties of different coins based on their composition. It prompts readers to gather a variety of coins, including one pennies, two penies, fives, and tens, and perform a simple experiment using a magnet.
-
Experimental Steps:
- Collect coins and place them on a flat surface.
- Optionally, arrange the coins into shapes or patterns for added excitement.
- Run a magnet over the coins and observe which ones are attracted to the magnet.
-
Observations and Findings:
- Coins made after 1992, specifically 1p and 2p coins, are composed of copper-plated steel. As steel is magnetic, these coins will be attracted to the magnet.
- For 5p and 10p coins made after 2012, the composition is nickel-plated steel, making them magnetic.
- Other coins like 20p and 50p are composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel. Due to the non-magnetic nature of copper and the insufficient amount of nickel, these coins won't be attracted to the magnet.
-
Historical Changes in Coin Composition:
- The shift in composition for 1p and 2p coins occurred in 1992, transitioning from an alloy of copper, tin, and zinc to copper-plated steel.
- The change for 5p and 10p coins happened in 2012, with the introduction of nickel-plated steel.
In essence, this delightful science experiment not only entertains but also educates on the relationship between a coin's composition and its magnetic properties. It serves as a fantastic tool for young learners to grasp the concepts of magnetism and metallurgy in a hands-on and memorable way.
FAQs
Place all your ones, twos, fives and tens on a flat surface. You may wish to make them into a shape or pattern to make the experiment more exciting or could group your coins into 1ps, 2ps, 5ps and 10ps. Run the magnet over them and see which ones are attracted to the magnet, these are the magnetic coins!
What coins will a magnet pick up? ›
Pennies and some older coins are magnetic because they contain iron or steel. Dimes, quarters, and most modern coins are not magnetic because they are made of non-magnetic metals. It is also possible for any coin to become magnetized if it is stamped during the manufacturing process.
How do you make a coin magnetic? ›
Stroke a magnet in one direction along your coin. This will align the domains of the coin material in the same direction. Continue rubbing in the same direction, in the same area. Do not rub in the opposite direction.
What happens if a coin is magnetic? ›
If the coin sticks to the magnet, it has magnetic properties. If it does not stick, it is non-magnetic. It's important to note that the presence or absence of magnetic properties does not affect the value or usability of a coin. It is simply a characteristic of the materials used in its composition.
What does it mean when a magnet sticks to a coin? ›
If a suitable magnet shows the diamagnetic effect the item might be silver (most likely with a coin) or it could be silver-plating on copper. Do not confuse diamagnetism with magnetism. Many coins contain nickel and are most definitely magnetic, the magnet will 'stick' to the coin.
Is a 1943 penny that sticks to a magnet worth anything? ›
How do I know if I have the copper 1943 Wheat Penny? This is a very simple test. Go get a magnet. If the coin sticks to the magnet, it's made of steel and worth about 10 cents.
What valuable coins are magnetic? ›
Yes they are. In 1943 the government made nearly a billion cents made from zinc plated steel and ALL of these steel cents are magnetic. Depending on mintmark and condition they would have a RETAIL value from around 5 cents to $10 each. MOST of the ones you see will be in the 5 to 15 cent range.
Can you pick up a quarter with a magnet? ›
US quarters cannot be picked up by magnets. American coin mechanisms in vending machines and arcade games have magnets to filter out Canadian quarters.
Which coins are magnetic and why? ›
There is one notable difference. Copper-plated coins are attracted to magnets because of the iron content of the steel core, whereas bronze coins are not magnetic. In 1998, 2p coins were struck in both copper-plated steel and bronze.
Will a magnet pick up gold or silver? ›
Like gold, silver isn't attracted to a magnet. There may even be other metals like copper, platinum, or nickel mixed with the gold to give it different colors. They also make it harder so it doesn't bend or scratch.
The best answer is to say that it is not magnetic under normal circ*mstances. But it's always impressive to show them the can demonstration and how it can interact with magnets. We can say that in strong magnetic fields aluminum can become slightly magnetic but in everyday experience it does not exhibit magnetism.
Which pennies are magnetic? ›
The steel cent is the only regular-issue United States coin that can be picked up with a magnet.
Are any US coins magnetic? ›
None of the US coins are magnetic (ferromagnetic), except for the 1943 Lincoln penny (Steel Cents, made in steel and zinc to save copper for ammunition during wartime), which are considered magnetic.
How do you test a 1943 penny with a magnet? ›
The easiest way to determine if a 1943 cent is made of steel, and not copper, is to use a magnet. If it sticks to the magnet, it is not copper. If it does not stick, the coin might be of copper and should be authenticated by an expert.
What year of penny is 100% copper? ›
History of composition
| Years | Material | Weight (grams) |
|---|
| 1795–1857 † | ~100% copper | 10.89 |
| 1856–1864 | 88% copper, 12% nickel (also known as NS-12) | 4.67 |
| 1864–1942 | bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) | 3.11 |
| 1943 | zinc-coated steel (also known as 1943 steel cent) | 2.72 |
5 more rowsNone of the US coins are magnetic (ferromagnetic), except for the 1943 Lincoln penny (Steel Cents, made in steel and zinc to save copper for ammunition during wartime), which are considered magnetic.
Will a magnet pick up a quarter? ›
US quarters cannot be picked up by magnets. American coin mechanisms in vending machines and arcade games have magnets to filter out Canadian quarters.
What will a magnet not pick up? ›
Metals That Don't Attract Magnets
Certain metals in their natural states such as aluminium, copper, brass, lead gold, and silver don't attract magnets due to the fact they are weak metals. However, properties including iron and steel can be added to these metals in order to make them magnetic.
Will a magnet attract a copper coin? ›
Complete answer:
Copper is diamagnetic and they are not attracted but are repelled by a magnetic field. We can make weak metals like silver as a magnetic material by adding a small quantity of iron. Therefore the answer to the above question is that magnet does not pick up copper.
